TOWA Anti Doping Policy
Date of latest publication - March 2022
All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they and their competitors are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with our International Federation, The Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) 
http://tugofwar-twif.org to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected.
Anti-Doping Rules
The Tug of War Association (TOWA) has adopted the TWIF Anti-Doping Rules (ADR’s) 2021 that all athletes and support personnel must abide by. The TWIF ADRs are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code 2021, the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations with sport globally.
The TWIF ADRs adopted by the TOWA are available here https://tugofwar-twif.org/anti-doping/rules/
If you are a member of the TOWA then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at.
Anti-Doping Violations
Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from ALL sport. The ADRs outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals see https://tugofwar-twif.org/anti-doping/rules/
The Big Picture – Top tips for clean sport.
An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and support personnel should make themselves area of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found here https://tugofwar-twif.org/2016/08/15/anti-doping/
The Prohibited List
All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are detailed in the Prohibited List. Substances and methods documentation which can be added to at anytime, however it is updated as a minimum once a year, coming into effect on 1st January. The latest Prohibited List and be found on the WADA (https://www.wada-ama.org/en) and TWIF websites. As this list is updated frequently, athletes and support personnel should make sure they check it regularly for any changes.
Checking Medication
Before taking any medication, whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter, athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit http://globaldro.com/home If being prescribed medication it is vital that you inform the Doctor providing that prescription that you are subject to the WADA Prohibited List and that they will need to provide extensive supporting evidence if the prescription is on the prohibited list.
Taking Nutritional Supplements
The TOWA always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are not guarantees that any supplement is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the needs, risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement and if they need to use one, visit The Informed Sport website to check whether the supplement have been batch tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub https://www.ukad.org.uk/athletes/managing-supplement-risks
Applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance, they will need to apply for a TUE. This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. If you have not been a TWIF accredited puller, you apply to https://www.ukad.org.uk/tue-application and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether you need to apply for a TUE and who to submit your application to.
What happens in a test?
Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out the process here https://www.ukad.org.uk/violations/testing-process or in Article 5 of the TWIF ADRs https://tugofwar-twif.org/anti-doping/rules/
Protect Our Sport
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part – athletes, coaches or parents, whether on centre stage of behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there is something wrong, no matter how small. The TOWA guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
For domestic competitions, please first contact the Hon Gen Secretary.
For International Competitions – contact anti-doping@thetwif.org
Further Information
Please do not hesitate to ask regarding rules around anti-doping, as well as asking the TOWA, athletes may also gather further information from https://tugofwar-twif.org/2016/08/15/anti-doping/
Alternatively contact the TOWA anti-doping officer.
Or the International Federation Lead, Pete Dyer.
